Clark set to be first woman head of Australian academy

Belinda Clark has been appointed to lead Australia's cricket academy - the first woman to hold the role. Clark, Australia women's capain, will take up the post as the Centre of Excellence's manager in September, when she returns from the Ashes tour of England and Ireland. This could mean that she stops playing international cricket - but she will make this decision upon her return.

Cricket Australia confirmed that Clark, who is a Level 3 coach, will replace Trevor Robertson who will step down after two years. "Belinda is a natural leader," said James Sunderland, the board's chief executive, "an extremely competent cricket administrator and we are very fortunate to be able to appoint someone of her calibre."

The Centre of Excellence was set up in 1988 and 240 players have benefited from its work, with 34 of them going on to represent Australia in Tests or one-dayers.